Winter storm moves east after covering West Texas

Associated Press :
January 4, 2013
: Updated: January 4, 2013 11:31pm

Snow fell in the Hill Country just west of Stonewall, Texas Friday, Jan. 4, 2013, where this tractor sits ready for plowing, covering peach orchards and grape fields in a thin layer of white. (AP Photo/Austin American-Statesman, Alberto Martênez) MAGS OUT; NO SALES; INTERNET AND TV MUST CREDIT PHOTOGRAPHER AND STATESMAN.COM

Photo By Juan Carlos Llorca/Associated Press

A family enters a park to enjoy the unusually thick snow Friday, Jan 4, 2013 in El Paso. Texas. A winter storm dumped four inches of snow in the El Paso area, about half of one yearís total snowfall, causing schools, businesses and government institutions to close. (AP Photo/Juan Carlos Llorca)

Photo By Fernie Castillo/Associated Press

Victoria Luna poses for George Olivas on top of 2 giant snowballs at Album Eastwood Park as snow blankets the area Thursday, Jan. 3, 2013 in El Paso, Texas. Up to eight inches of snow, with isolated amounts approaching 10 inches, were expected across West Texas as the storm moved across the region. (AP Photo/The El Paso Times, Fernie Castillo) EL DIARIO OUT; JUAREZ MEXICO OUT; IF USE ON LAM OR LAT AND EL DIARIO DE EL PASO OUT

EL PASO — West Texas residents were digging out of several inches of snow Friday after a winter storm stranded motorists, delayed businesses and buried El Paso in more than half its average annual snowfall.

The wintry mix was easier in and around San Antonio, where as an inch of snow fell Thursday night, officials said.

About a half-inch fell in Fredericksburg, and San Antonio received trace amounts of sleet mixed with rain Friday.

The storm left as much as 10 inches of snow overnight in some West Texas areas, including Fort Stockton and Terlingua.

Most of the major roadways that were closed late Thursday because of snow and ice had reopened by Friday afternoon, including Interstate 10 from Fort Hancock to Van Horn.

“There were hundreds of people sleeping in their cars in my truck stop and every other place they could find in town,” said Cary Robinson, manager at a Pilot truck stop in Van Horn. “We have a Wendy's and it ran out of food.”

In El Paso, which averages 6.6 inches of snow annually, four inches fell in less than a 24-hour period.

The heavy snowfall covered the usually dirt-brown desert landscape with a thick white blanket.

“We've seen snow in El Paso before, but nothing like this. There is enough snow to play in and it's actually nice outside,” Kelly Cano said while with her husband and two children at Memorial Park, which several visitors said is among the few places in El Paso with hills fit for sliding.

“We drove about 30 minutes to get here, but my daughter is enjoying it,” Robert Guevara said after descending a smooth slope.

The National Weather Service reports that between four and eight inches of snow fell on mountains and foothills, and up to six inches elsewhere in the region.

The storm fizzled before reaching northern and central Texas, where light snow and sleet were reported.